Alberta's chief provincial veterinarian announced yesterday [20 May 2014] that swine delta coronavirus (SDCV) is now a reportable disease in the Canadian province of Alberta. The following was released by Dr Gerald Hauer, chief provincial veterinarian:

Swine delta coronavirus (SDCV) is a new viral disease of pigs that has recently has been found in the United States and Ontario. SDCV is from the same family of viruses as porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) and also causes severe diarrhea and death in suckling pigs. Any sudden onset of unusual diarrhea should be investigated immediately by a veterinarian.

Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) and porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) cause very similar symptoms to SDCV. Both are reportable in Alberta. The government will respond to PED the same as for SDCV, but does not respond to TGE cases. Lab testing is necessary to confirm the presence of TGE, PED, or SDCV.